Set Against a Backdrop of Tradition, Colorful Holiday Decor Gives this Atlanta Home a Playful Personality

Oak pedestals hold large antique Rose Medallion vases in the foyer, and a Parviz rug establishes the color story for the rooms to come.

Bernhardt chairs re-covered in blue velvet surround a Tritter Feefer table. The room is covered in a whimsical wallpaper from Madeaux by Richard Smith and is dotted with family antiques.

The dining room table is set with the homeowner’s collection of crystal and sterling. Lenox Royal Treasure dinner plates are accented with antique Rose Medallion bread plates and C. Ahrenfeldt Limoges salad plates. Waterford Clarendon cobalt hock wine glasses add a surprising dash of color.

An antique family heirloom painting hangs above the fireplace in the formal living room. The Bernhardt sofa and Zentique club chairs rest atop a Stanton Felix rug.

In the powder bath, the walls are covered in a flowering print by Lee Jofa, and the showcase piece is the skirted custom marble sink with brushed gold hardware.

The kitchen is an ideal entertaining spot with ample space for various snack and beverage areas. Bar chairbacks are covered in Saybrook Check by Thibaut, and a wreath above the range adds a festive touch.

The dark brown table in the breakfast area emphasizes the English countryside feel. A warm gold fixture from Visual Comfort & Co. hangs overhead.

In the family room, Lee Industries swivel chairs covered in Fabricut’s Impressionist Fern are complemented by fresh garland on the mantel and a roaring fire in the hearth.

elow In the sunroom, a Serena & Lily sectional covered in a ticking stripe by Kravet offers an inviting spot for curling up with a book or a cup of coffee.

The Pottery Barn Julia Berolzheimer Collection planter shelf is chic storage in the perfect shade of green. Art from Gregg Irby Gallery brings even more color to the space.

In the primary bedroom, a canopy bed from Frontgate combines a Fabricut exterior with Thibaut Leighton Check interior and a gimp by Samuel & Sons. The Visual Comfort & Co. chandelier adds a romantic touch.

To give the primary bath a refresh, the artwork was moved from the powder bath to this space. Light fixtures were replaced and a touch of gold implemented, adding a layer of dimension to the room.

Existing furniture from the primary bedroom was repurposed in the guest bedroom. A new Thibaut wallpaper creates a whimsical environment.

The guest room exudes warmth, starting with a sitting area where the walls are drenched in Whitall Brown by Benjamin Moore.

Michelle Doughtie of Schilling & Co. was hired for this Buckhead home’s initial facelift in 2018, which saw the first design of the five-bedroom, nearly 9,000-square-foot home emphasized with feminine touches against a traditional background. When Doughtie was tapped again in 2024 for the most recent refresh, it was time to layer in collections and up the pattern ante.

The homeowner’s recent trip to the Cotswolds left her enamored by castles and the villages surrounding them, and with a series of guests coming into town, she wanted to make her vision a reality. Doughtie’s result is a timeless setting steeped in deep greens and punctuated with playful trims where an heirloom oil collection is married with vibrant contemporary art.

In the family room, Doughtie created a cozy atmosphere with intimate seating arrangements surrounded by the homeowners’ impressive inherited art. “With those dark paintings, we wanted to freshen things up to give a less serious tone,” describes the designer. Emphasizing textures, Doughtie opted for a grasscloth coffee table for a casual yet sophisticated feel, and a sofa covered in velvet and finished with bullion trim. Nothing is heavy or fussy, but the room feels refined and comfortable.

Adjacent to the armoire in the same space is a hidden bourbon bar. In the original floor plan, the powder room was large and felt wasteful. Doughtie borrowed from the bath and a guest closet to create a bar for the couple’s bourbon and wine collections, ultimately using the space more effectively. The naked eye might not notice the panels with hidden hinges when closed, but the family often keeps the space open, showcasing their personalities and panache for entertaining. “We created a little jewel box in there and mirrored the back to make it interesting,” says Doughtie. “I’ve always loved hidden details in older houses, such as a little place to talk on the phone. That’s something we tried to create.”

One of Doughtie’s favorite spots is the sunroom. Before the most recent reimagining, the furniture was arranged as a living room but felt too formal for relaxing. “You just didn’t want to stay because it wasn’t as inviting,” says Doughtie. She gave it new life by painting the entire room in a cool mint green, selecting a sectional outfitted in an old-fashioned ticking stripe, and choosing a now-discontinued fabric for the window treatments. “Even though it’s no longer available, it still looks current, and we essentially decorated everything around those drapes.” Nearby, the kitchen—remodeled in 2018—received a sprucing up with fabric and furniture. “We wanted an English look, so we grounded everything with a dark brown table and paired it with secondhand chairs that we painted and re-covered. They feel storied and collected,” says Doughtie.

Throughout the home, color tells the story. “We started with a color palette of greens and blues, and instead of just one universal color, we chose to use a range. In some rooms, it’s on the furniture, and in others, it’s on the drapery, but when you walk through each space, everything feels connected without feeling repetitive.” says Doughtie. The effect isa refreshing overhaul that will remain evergreen for years to come.

INTERIOR DESIGN Michelle Doughtie, Schilling & Co., schillingandcompany.com